If the first year of the California Community Foundation (CCF) initiative for wayward youths in the I am BLOOM program is any indication for the progress of theses teens, then the future is bright.

BLOOM, is a five-year initiative to create a more positive and productive future for 14-18 year old Black males living in South L.A. who are or have been under the supervision of the L.A. County Probation Department.

During the recently held BET Weekend, the CCF presented its inaugural Bowl for BLOOM event at Lucky Strike located at L.A. Live.

Celebrities Larenz Tate and Ludacris were joined by entrepreneur Karim Webb, a partner in Crenshaw’s Buffalo Wild Wings, NBA star and former Westchester All City basketball standout Trevor Ariza, promising Seattle Seahawks quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and PCF Management Partners’ Edward Barnet all participated in honoring and raising funds for the programs on June 28th.

The goal of BLOOM is to serve 2,000 youth by the year 2017 and re-direct them toward improved educational and employment opportunities.

Each year, CCF allocates nearly as many charitable dollars as they receive. From 2003 to 2013, the organization raised more than $1.86 billion in philanthropic contributions and made almost 62,000 grants totaling $1.6 billion. CCF is a vibrant and dynamic philanthropic engine granting out, on average, 10-20 percent of its assets annually.

CCF has the insights, relationships and experience to make your charitable giving meaningful and effective. With an impressive track record of achievement and a relentless focus on strengthening outcomes for current and future generations, it’s no wonder families, donors, non-profits and companies have trusted CCF as their philanthropic partner for nearly a century.